Andrew Carlton Submitted photo

WALES — Regional School Unit 4 may soon be on the hunt for a new superintendent.

Superintendent Andrew Carlton is the top candidate to be Gardiner’s new city manager and, while the job offer hasn’t yet been extended, it seems to only be a matter of time.

“It’s an emotional thing for me,” Carlton said. “I’ve been in education about 20 years now, and if you think about it, stepping away from education is a scary thing. But, in the same token … we’ve done some really great work in RSU 4 and I can walk away knowing I’ve left the district in better shape than when I found it.”

“Sometimes you know when it’s time for a change, and I just felt like now’s the time,” he added. “This opportunity presented itself, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to new challenges and seeing the world from the municipal side of government.”

Carlton was first hired in RSU 4 as an educational technician at Oak Hill High School, where he worked from 2003-05. In 2012, he returned to the district as the assistant principal at the high school, later becoming the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, then superintendent in 2017.

RSU 4 serves the towns of Litchfield, Sabattus and Wales.

“I’ve been really blessed with my time in RSU 4,” Carlton said. “Great kids, super supportive community, and an amazing staff to work with. They just do incredible things together, and it’s been fun to watch and be a part of.”

Carlton will take part in a community gathering in Gardiner Monday to meet with city residents and answer questions.

“I see what Gardiner’s got going on, and it’s pretty impressive,” he said. “It’ll be a learning curve for sure, but so far, the people I’ve met have been fantastic.”

Neighboring RSU 4, Maine School Administrative District 52 based in Turner is also beginning its search to replace its superintendent, Kimberly Brandt, who will retire at the end of the school year.